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Bill Beaumont has secured a second term as chairman of World Rugby, the game's governing body.

The 68-year-old former England captain fought off competition from his former right-hand man Agustin Pichot, who was promising a more radical approach to governing the game.

However, the over-arching view is that now is not the time for sweeping changes throughout the game as it faces up to a myriad of serious challenges arising from the coronavirus pandemic.

Beaumont, who will now serve four more years, won the race vote 28-23. Frenchman Bernard Laporte will be his vice-chairman.

"I am honoured to accept the mandate of the World Rugby Council to serve as the international federation’s Chairman once again and would like to thank my union and region colleagues, members of the global rugby family and, of course, my family for their full support and trust," said Beaumont.

"I would like to thank Gus for his friendship and support over the last four years. While we stood against each other in this campaign, we were aligned in many ways and I have the utmost respect for him. Gus is passionate about the sport and his contribution has been significant."

Earlier this week, the Welsh Rugby Union confirmed that they had backed Beaumont for another term, despite being one of the only Six Nations Unions to bother responding to Pichot's proposals.

On Wednesday, WRU chairman Gareth Davies, who will once again sit on World Rugby's executive committee, said: "As always, it is vitally important to us that due and proper process is followed in the governance of our game in Wales and I would like to formally confirm to our members clubs the Board’s conclusion to support Bill Beaumont in his bid to be re-elected for a further term.

"We have spoken to both candidates and assessed their manifesto commitments in turn. We have digested the dynamic drive for change presented by Agustin and understood the commitment to progress but also stability and the steady hand provided by Bill.

Agustin Pichot and Bill Beaumont

"Some members of our Board expressed direct support for Bill and others acceded to take their steer from those of us who are closest to the issues at play.

"There were members of both our exec board and the PRB who expressed a preference for Agustin, and this was by no means a ‘one horse race’ in the Board’s eyes, but our final collective decision was reached based on evidence provided, due diligence and research of each candidate."

Beaumont's attention must now turn to the sport's fight to survive the coronavirus pandemic.

Unions all over the world and their domestic professional teams are facing an unprecedented financial crisis brought on by Covid-19.

Many have had to take drastic measures including furloughing of staff and significant pay cuts in a bid to still be in existence when the virus abates.

"Now is not the time for celebration," added Beaumont. "We have work to do. We are tackling COVID-19 and must implement an appropriate return-to-rugby strategy that prioritises player welfare, while optimising any opportunity to return to international rugby this year in full collaboration with club competitions for the good of players, fans and the overall financial health of the sport.

"I am determined to ensure that the spirit of unity and solidarity that has characterised our work so far in response to an unprecedented global COVID-19 pandemic, is the cornerstone of a new approach that will deliver a stronger, more sustainable game when we emerge with new enthusiasm, a renewed purpose and an exciting future."